As Season Closes, Teams Eye Playoffs Next Few Days Are Crucial In Field Hockey, Soccer

SPORTS THIS WEEKEND--Sports events around Carroll County this

October 24, 1990|By Ed McDonough | Ed McDonough,Staff writer

County field hockey and soccer teams head into the final week of the season trying to earn playoff spots or solidify their home field advantage for post-season play.

And, several teams will be playing some important games over the next few days.

In field hockey, four teams are all but assured of playoff slots, and three Carroll teams may win their regions.

Only North Carroll appears to be on the bubble heading into the season finale at 7 p.m. tomorrow at home against Liberty. North Carroll could finish anywhere between third and seventh in Class 3A Region I -- the top four advance to the playoffs -- depending on how the Panthers do and how other teams finish.

North Carroll could get some help from South Carroll, which ends its season at Linganore tomorrow at 4 p.m. The Cavs lead the region, with Liberty second.

Key, which played Walkersville yesterday (after press time) could clinch a Class 1A Region I title at 7 tomorrow night at home against tough Middletown, but might be able to keep the top spot without a win, depending on how Poolesville of Montgomery County fares in its last few games.

In boys soccer, only two or three county teams appear to have a shot at post-season play, and one of those is a long shot.

In Class 3A Region I, it appears only one Carroll team will make the top four, and that likely will come in the No. 4 spot. Oakland Mills' 4-2 victory Saturday over previous region leader Centennial pretty much ensures that the three Howard teams in the region will occupy the first three spots.

The big question is, which Carroll team will advance? North Carroll had the edge before falling to Westminster, 2-1, Saturday. South Carroll's 4-3 win Friday over Class 4A Frederick helped the Cavs, who had an important game against North Carroll yesterday (after press time).

The remaining games Thursday include Liberty at North Carroll and South Carroll at Westminster, both at 7.

Westminster again is trying to rally from the back of the pack for a playoff berth. The win Saturday over North Carroll helped the Owls, who sneaked into the Class 4A Region I playoffs last year with a 5-7 record after having been written off earlier.

Key's 2-0 victory over Catoctin Friday just about ensured a playoff spot for the Eagles in Class 1A Region II, and a road victory over Walkersville tomorrow could move Key even higher in the standings.

In girls soccer, three county teams are in good shape to advance to the playoffs, but the other two may be able to sneak in.

Key's 2-0 victory over Walkersville Friday solidified the Eagles' grip on fourth place in the Class 1A/2A Region II standings, and a road victory against Catoctin tonight at 7 could move the Eagles even higher in the standings.

In girls soccer, three county teams are in good shape to advance to the playoffs, but the other two may be able to sneak in.

Key's 2-0 victory over Walkersville friday solidified the Eagles' grip on fourth place in the class 1A/2A Region II standings, and a road victory against Catoctin tonight a 7 could move the Eagles even higher.

In Class 3A/4A Region II, Liberty is third in the standings and could challenge for second after recent wins over Thomas Johnson and Westminster.

The Lions finish up at 7 p.m. tomorrow at Frederick.

North Carroll, which needs to end the season strongly if it is to have any chance of catching No. 4 Old Mill, finishes with a home game at 4 p.m.

tomorrow against Thomas Johnson. The Panthers also needed to do well yesterday against Liberty.

In Class 3A/4A Region IV, South Carroll appears set in third and Westminster is trying to overtake Oakland Mills for fourth, though the Owls' loss to Liberty Saturday was a big blow. Westminster visits South Carroll tomorrow at 7 p.m. in the season finale.

In other sports this weekend:

* The Westminster High golf team travels to the University of Maryland at College Park Thursday and Friday for the state tournament. Westminster was second in the region to Broadneck of Anne Arundel County and should be among the top teams.

Traditionally, though, Montgomery County teams rule the tournament, with schools such as Quince Orchard, Walt Whitman and Winston Churchill among the better ones. Action begins at 9 a.m. each day.

* Fresh off a sweep of the team titles in the Central Maryland Conference championships Saturday, Westminster will try to defend its county cross country titles at 4 p.m. Friday at Western Maryland College.

Scott Luers is the favorite to win the boys individual title.

The most interesting portion of the boys race should be the team battle for second. South Carroll was second in the CMC meet while Class 1A Francis Scott Key was second in the Monocacy Valley Athletic League meet 10 days ago.

The girls race will be an interesting individual matchup, with several runners for Westminster, Liberty and South Carroll competing in a free-for-all.

* It was Waterloo II for county football teams last week, as the five high school teams were again swept, this time by a total margin of 123-44.

The only county team with any realistic hope for a title is Westminster, which could earn a split of the CMC crown with Linganore if the Owls beat the Lancers next week.

Locally, the big game this week is Westminster at Liberty Friday at 7:30 p.m.